Fall 2013 Rads

Thanks, MsP! I will have to have both sides radiated, as I have bilateral synchronous. I'm not sure if they're going to recommend my doing both at once, or one subsequent to the other. I will definitely ask if they can do prone. Titty-toasting!!! Hahah!! I love all of these new vocabulary words I've picked up!!

Jo602. Hooray! What a blessed comfort for you. Onward and forward! You got this one, gal!

MsP

34/44 done! My boosts start tomorrow. Halloween is my last day. I start driving home Nov 1! My skin is doing very well. I hardly even use anything. But I have so much tape over the markings it's annoying to avoid them.

I told my cousin how we talk about bringing each other along in our pockets, especially when we feel anxious, etc. She loved the idea! She lost her infant to congenital heart disease earlier this year and is still grieving deeply. I told her she can keep me in her pocket. I love her so much.

Jo6-That is great news!!! So you will be a radiant lady too!

Rhcp...

Before starting rads, I read the "summer rads" thread like a dirty novel & picked up all kinds of lotions and potions.

Im 25/33 and have only used the colendula cream that they give me. I used lavender oil on one of my weekend breaks & it was realky soothing, but with just the colendula, I think im gonna make it through just fine. Im red & extra red where they place the bolus (with b teeny tiny blisters), but its not so painful as long as I keep the boob lubed with the cream. I was terrified of rads before starting, but it goes by so fast & the redness and tenderness is so gradual.... youll be fine....

Much easier than chemo, physically... I think rads was/is harder emotionally than chemo was....

My mumma passed away yesterday & had to have one of my "pity parties".... couldnt blame this one on cancer though..,,, bu I found that im more often bummed with rads than I was with chemo....

hang in there... once we are done, its time to celebrate!

Happy thoughts!

Lorrie

Lorrie, so sorry to hear about your mumma. (((HUGS)))

Hi all

For those interested in the shorter course of external beam radiation- I am doing the 16 treatments or as the radiation oncologist put it 15+1 for a total of 16 LOL

I am 52 and had lumpectomy with no chemo and negative sentinel nodes- IDC with some DCIS. I fit the profile for this shorter course as I understand it. I agree that everyone's treatment plan is individualized to a certain extent within established protocols. I like that customization and at the end of the day we don't have to do anything or everything we don't want to.

Had my planning appt yesterday and the physician and the tech did not like a red area around my lumpectomy scar- I could see some redness but I suppose lying flat on my back with the bright lights on they had a better view..... I have had pain in that area and some swelling at night and just attributed it to seroma formation.

Sent me over to the surgeon so this am I went over and they put me on antibiotics. Said it won't delay my radiation so I will start on 11/6. I agree with several of the posters- radiation seems to be an emotional versus physical "hit". I felt pretty vulnerable on that table and I don't like that feeling in any situation. The rest of the time I can somehow convince myself I am in control and making the decisions I need to make!

Hi! I have just finished chemo and my oncologist is pushing..hard..for radiaton. We debated back and forth with him finally asking would I just "have a conversation with rad onc". I go today. I spent 3 hours on computer last night reading every reputable article and website I could find. I just don't know now. The risk of lymphedema is high with radiation to lymphs and risk of heart issues (heart attack, valve issues) is way up there when you have radiation to chest wall. Im under the standard (5cm plus lump size..mine was a 4...and 4plus lymphs involved -mine was 2/12. The risk of recurrence in first 5 years is 16%..with radiation it goes down to 14%...only 2% diff compare to risk of heart issues/lymphedema..But what if I need to be in that 2%..or what if heart issues...Jeez! Its like a crap shoot...I don't know the answer. I know radiation scares the crap out of me. I don't know what to do. This rad onc is in the same bldg with onc..so I know what she is going to say..as my onc is known for throwing whole kitchen sink at cancer..risks be damn..she will go with him..I guess Im going to have to get 2nd opinion..Drs around this town are pretty behind. I wonder can you have your records faxed out of town/state and that be considered a Drs visit. Do you have to be there? Also, I read that a good bit of women have to be out of work halfway through rads as it brings on the same fatigue as you get with chemo. I can't be out anymore..I mean my work would let me..but financially. Anyway, you can see my mind is in turmoil this morning. If anyone has any info that would help me make up my mind it was would be sooo great!

Neelie-I had seroma too. I had lumpectomy..margins weren't clear...then MX...then, what I call port of hell put in (dang that hurt!)..then 5 days later got infection AND seroma. He had to do 4th surgery (in 3 mths) and emblaze MX site and was in hospital for 3 days getting IV antibiotics. I've never been hardly sick or in hospital in my life until this! Positive attitude is the ticket, huh? It does keep the scary a bay and its GREAT they can see that in you!!

ckmoss -

I finish my rads next Tuesday and honestly it has been a breeze. My skin pinked up but didn't hurt or break down, and I'm blond haired, blue eyed with Irish fair skin that usually burns. I had little to no fatigue and have easily worked throughout the treatments. I'm not sure about the 2% reduction in re-occurrence rate. My research and info from the RO is that it reduces re-occurence 40% to 70%. For me, I want to do all I can now while I have the option because down the road, your options diminish - especially if it spreads, there is no going back.

I developed lympodema (minimal) after my lumpectomy with only 3 nodes removed. I asked the RO if radiation would make it worse and she said no. She was right because it actually improved during radiation! As for heart damage - I'm on Herceptin and have an echo-cardiogram every 3 months. No problems with the heart yet. Honestly, of all I've been through since diagnosis....radiation has been the easiest part.

I understand your worries - as we all have similar ones but I've chosen to take my doctors recommendations as they are the ones with the experience with this beast and a view of the big picture long term. Good luck with whatever you decide - as it is a personal choice. We are here to support you either way.

Annie

MsP - You have me rolling on the floor in a fit of laughter! "Titty toasting action"! If I didn't mention it before, DS, DD and I came up with the idea of appetizers for happy hour during Oct called tatter tatas or crispy tits. Of course they would be tatter tots and the proceeds would go to the cure. I guess most people wouldn't get it but we thought it was a riot.

My latest boobism is, I had identical twins but now they are fraternal. Sometimes I just need to laugh to keep from crying, besides, laughing feels SO good.

Take care radiated, I mean radiant ladies.

((((HUGS!))))

Summergal - I had to take in a deep breath and hold each time they radiated on area. I am wondering if that is what you area referring to. It was easy to do but I did have days when I took in too much air and others not enough. They can watch you and direct you as to when your breathing is perfect. I was told because my tumor was my left-side they used the breathing technique. Good luck and please let me know how it goes.

Moss, I sense your agony over your decision to radiate or not and it is a heart and mind-wrenching decision when as you say you are in the gray zone. My RO told me that radiation would provide a 70% chance for non-recurrence which is an overwhelming percentage.

I do wish you the best as you seek other opinions from a team. Just remember, all these doctors in the cancer field are seeking to preserve our lives though there may be health issues at some point further down the road. I had to learn to accept that point of view when I began this cancer treatment journey and it has helped to put my mind at ease. Side effects won't be an issue if we are not around to experience them.

I had to postpone my radiation since Tuesday of this week because I had a cortisone injection in my right knee on Monday due to pain. Little did I know there would be a reaction between radiation and cortisone and I did not tell my family doc I was receiving radiation. My skin turned bright pink all the way across my chest and well as up both sides of my neck. Now I am taking Prednisone for 10 days which is one drug that makes me feel positively miserable. Am hoping I will be able to resume my treatments Next Monday. Now I am a week behind and feeling low about what has happened. But on a positive note, the pain in my knee has vanished. My family doc said that all the chemo had just pushed it over the edge and was causing my joint problem.

Lorrie, so sorry to hear about losing your mom. Things cannot be easy for you right now.

Wishing everyone the best week-end you can have.

ckmoss,

I have been in the "gray" area since this cancer journey has started. I think it is God's way of having a laugh at my expense. I have ALWAYS been a very black and white person. Make an informed decision, don't look back, and get on with it. Well I was "gray" about if i should have a lumpectomy/mastectomy, chemo, and radiation. I did get a 2nd opinion on the rads and he was absolute about doing it. My rad onc brought it to the tumor board and they too said yes - so I did. Honestly it was a breeze. I was fortunate to live with my daughter who is in graduate school and she was the BEST medicine I could have. If they could have given me an absolute answer that I didn't need it I would have been ok with it. Since there was no absolute don't do it, I had to. I never want to say if this monster comes back that I didn't do everything I could to prevent it.

All my best to you and all of the other wonderfrul ladies!

Life is good - go out and enjoy it!!

Hello radiant ones! Wow, what a group,of intelligent women we are..not sure why they need to radiate us more.

First and foremost, Lorrie, my sincerest condolences on the loss of your mother, I wish great comfort for you and your family.

Vwbordelon....you took the words out of my mouth. I have also been in the dreaded gray area throughout. I call choosing breast cancer treatment spinning the roulette wheel. Until we have a cure, this is our reality...the treatments have significant risks. All we can do is choose with the best science we have and not look back.

Cakes, your family is too funny helping you come up with appetizer ideas. Tatter tits...rotfl

It is good to hear so many ladies getting close to the end of treatment and having manageable side effects. So very encouraging!

I am 3 days out from my last boost and doing very well.

Only radiance, MsP

so nice to hear how well most of you are doing! So much positive!

Wish I felt it myself. The day after my halfway point ( 2 days ago) I dropped emotionally. Had tears at the acupuncturist's, and today for the first and hopefully last time, I cried at my rads treatment! The poor techs. I'm usually really up and chatty with them and this time I fell apart. I had to clench my teeth to stop a sob during treatment. It just hit me. Today was our 27th anniversary - my dh was in the waiting room at the hospital for his wife who has a deformed pink ugly boob. Just don't feel very sexy! Plus a friend just yesterday had a 2nd biopsy - confirmed cancer in one and now looks like the other as well, and lymph looks bad too. Just too much!